Lift Abstract

CompanyMark Gorton Photography

PhotographerMark Gorton

PrizeHonorable Mention

Entry Description

The Leandenhall Building, also know as the Cheesegrater in The City of London is home to the fastest passenger lifts in Europe. Unlike most lifts hidden away in concrete shafts, the lifts at the Leadenhall Building are out on show, fully expressed in a filigree steel and glass structure for all to see.
This photograph endeavoured to capture the colourful vibrancy of the lift shaft structure, with one of the fast moving bright orange lift counterweights in the foreground. On closer inspection of the image, the fully glazed façade allows for secondary glimpses beyond, with the silhouette of tiny people and vehicles on the street below.

About Photographer

Mark Gorton is a practicing architect and internationally published photographer who splits his time between both passions. Mark’s photographic work is largely focused on architecture and construction but also explores both the abstract and people alike.
Having first been introduced to photography at a young age Mark has been capturing images most of his life, originally developing a photojournalistic style whilst gaining experience at The Evening Telegraph Newspaper then further developed when studying advanced architectural photography under American photographer John Stamets at the University of Washington in the United States.
Currently working for internationally acclaimed architectural practice Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners in London, Mark not only photographs their architectural projects but also works on their design and delivery too. Mark’s role as an architect within the design team on cutting edge international projects for some 15+ years has given him unparalleled access to sites as well as finished buildings where he has been able to hone his craft photo documenting the entire construction process from inception to completion. Unlike other architectural photographers Mark’s intimate involvement in the architectural design process has endowed him with a deep spatial understanding that is further enhanced by a rich depth of insight into the intuitive manipulation of light, form, colour and composition.
Being able to understand the intricacies of an architecture brief and conceptual response allow Mark the unique ability to use the lens to translate an architectural narrative into a photographic form. In so doing he is able to capture the architect’s original concept with an empathy and precision that is rarely understood by other photographers in the industry.
In 2015, Mark was nominated for the Arcaid World Architectural Photographer of the Year after being shortlisted in the Interior Category with his abstract image of The Leadenhall Building in London. He has had both his architectural and photography work on show in various exhibitions worldwide including London, Singapore, New York and Mexico and has been published in various printed and online publications including CNN, The Guardian, The Architectural Journal, Dezeen, The Plan and The Architectural Digest to name but a few.